Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 58 – Unspoken Weights

Evelyn sat at her desk, staring blankly at her phone screen. Her mother's name still lingered in her call log from the night before, and though the conversation had been brief, it left a weight pressing against her chest. She had barely slept, her mind replaying the words over and over.

"We should talk soon, Evelyn. As a family."

A family. The word felt both foreign and familiar, like a song she once knew but had long since forgotten the lyrics to. She wasn't sure if she was ready to hear what her mother had to say.

A knock at her door startled her out of her thoughts.

"It's open,"

she called, already knowing who it was.

Adrian stepped in, his usual easy confidence tempered with something softer as he took one look at her face. He didn't say anything at first—just walked over, placed a hot cup of coffee on her desk, and leaned against the edge of it.

"You look like you're about to either cry or throw your phone across the room,"

he said, voice light but laced with concern. "Which is it?"

Evelyn let out a tired sigh.

"Neither. Both? I don't know."

Adrian nodded as he understood without needing more explanation.

"You didn't sleep much."

She shrugged.

"Just had a lot on my mind."

His gaze flickered to the phone in her hand.

"Your mom?"

Evelyn hesitated before nodding.

"She called last night. She... wants to talk."

Adrian didn't press her for details, didn't ask the kind of questions that made her feel exposed. Instead, he reached out and gently took her free hand, threading his fingers through hers in a slow, grounding motion.

She blinked at the contact. He had held her hand before—casual touches, comforting gestures—but this felt different. More intentional. Steadying.

"What are you thinking?" he asked, voice quieter now.

Evelyn exhaled slowly, focusing on the warmth of his hand.

"I don't know. It's just... complicated."

Adrian didn't let go.

"Complicated doesn't mean impossible. And it doesn't mean you have to deal with it alone."

A lump formed in her throat. He always had a way of making her feel seen, even when she didn't want to be.

She gave his hand a light squeeze before pulling away, needing a distraction.

"What about you? You never talk about your family."

Adrian tilted his head slightly like he wasn't expecting the question.

"Not much to say."

"That's not an answer."

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A small smirk tugged at his lips, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"My parents work a lot. My sister's off doing her own thing. We talk, but we're not... close. It's just how it's always been."

Evelyn frowned. "Does that bother you?"

Adrian leaned back, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck.

"Sometimes. But I guess I've always figured that family is what you make it. Doesn't have to be the people you share blood with."

Something in his words struck a chord deep within her. She thought of Mia, of the people she had let into her life over the years. And of Adrian—always there, steady, unwavering.

Before she could say anything, her phone buzzed on the desk. A message from Mia.

Mia: Gallery party this weekend! You're coming. No excuses.

Evelyn groaned.

"Mia's trying to drag me to a party."

Adrian glanced at the message.

"You should go."

She shot him a look.

"Says the guy who hates big events."

"Exactly why I'll be there to suffer with you."

Evelyn blinked.

"Wait. You're saying you'll come?"

Adrian shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.

"Why not? It'll be fun."

"Since when do you willingly go to social events?"

He grinned.

"Since I realized you need someone to make sure you don't escape halfway through."

Evelyn shook her head, but she couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips.

"Fine. But if it's terrible, I reserve the right to make fun of you for agreeing to come."

"Deal."

As Adrian stood up, he reached out again, fingers brushing against her arm before trailing away. The touch was brief but enough to send warmth curling through her chest.

"You've got this, Evie," he said, voice soft but certain.

"With your mom. With the gallery. With everything."

Evelyn watched him go, her heart a little lighter than before. Maybe he was right.

Maybe she didn't have to do this alone.